Dad, Play the Man

"Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, 'If I find favor in your sight, then I will give whatever you say to me. Ask me ever so much bridal payment and gift, and I will give according as you say to me; but give me the girl in marriage.' But Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor with deceit, because he had defiled Dinah their sister." -Genesis 34.11-13

First Jacob does nothing about his daughter's rape. And now when he is confronted by her attacker and his father he remains silent. Shechem speaks directly to him and makes a request for her hand, and it is Dinah's brothers that speak up. Where is the father in all of this? Where is "he who strives with God"?

When dad refuses to act, sons feel the need to step up and take on the role that dad has left void. Jacob should be dealing with this situation. But we never see that he comforts his daughter, and not surprising, we don't see him seek justice on her behalf. When dad refuses to play the man, his sons will try. The problem is a boy is not ready to be a man yet, and great damage comes from making him grow up too fast.

The brothers aren't thinking clearly, they are blinded by anger, in this case hatred is probably more accurate. They have a plan to get revenge, their idea of justice, and without a father to guide them in how to properly take action here, bad things are about to unfold.

Men, if God has blessed you with a family, play the man. Protect and comfort your daughters. Lead and guide your sons. Your role is to make the world safe for them with your strength. Your role is to teach them how to live in society. Your role is to lead them into Christlikeness. If you remain silent, they are left to figure it out for themselves. They aren't equipped to be able to do that, that's why God gave them to you. Don't fail them. Play the man.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor